Occupational Therapists In Canada Research Articles

Occupational Therapists in Patient Navigation: A Scoping Review of the Literature.

This review seeks to understand the literature on patient navigator programs (PNPs) that employ occupational therapists (OTs), including the role (conceptualization), functions (operationalization) of OTs who work as patient navigators (PNs) and the settings and populations they serve. This review also mapped the role of PNs to the 2021 Competencies for Occupational Therapists in Canada. Scoping review methodology by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) was employed. Data were analyzed thematically and numerically to identify frequent patterns. Ten articles were included. Within PNPs, OTs worked in hospitals and communities, but their role was rarely well-defined. Five competency domains (i.e., communication and collaboration, culture, equity and justice, excellence in practice, professional responsibility, and engagement with the profession) were evident in existing PNPs that included OTs. This review supports the increasing interest in OTs as PNs by demonstrating the alignment between the OT competencies and roles and functions of OTs working within PNPs.

Wheelchair service provision education in Canadian occupational therapy programs.

Occupational therapists in Canada play a central role in wheelchair service provision. Inadequate entry-to-practice professional education has been identified as a major concern in the delivery of wheelchair related services. The goal of this study was to describe the current education provided in Canadian occupational therapy programs and to map this content against the recommended WHO 8-step wheelchair service provision process. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional online survey design. Educators were recruited from accredited occupational therapy programs in Canada. Participants completed a short sociodemographic questionnaire and a survey with 97 closed- and open-ended questions regarding the wheelchair service provision education provided in their curriculum. Survey data was then mapped according to the WHO 8-step wheelchair service provision process. Twenty-nine educators from all Canadian occupational therapy programs (n = 14) were enrolled. Most participants (55.2%) were full-time faculty members that had been teaching in occupational therapy programs for an average time of 10.9 years. All programs covered at least 4 of the WHO recommended steps, but only 5 programs covered all steps. Assessment and Prescription steps were covered in every program while the Referral & Appointment, Funding & Ordering, Fitting and User Training steps were covered in most programs. The pedagogic approach, the amount of time dedicated to wheelchair-related content, and the type of evaluation used varied greatly between programs. This study is the first to provide a detailed description of wheelchair service provision education across all Canadian occupational therapy programs according to the WHO 8 steps and provides a foundation for collaborative efforts to promote best practice in entry-to-practice professional education.

Occupational therapists’ perspectives on the implementation of client-centred practice in Tanzania

IntroductionClient-centred practice was theorised by occupational therapists in Canada and subsequently introduced into the Tanzanian occupational therapy curriculum. There has been no critique of ...

Barriers and facilitators of Gerontechnology use by occupational therapists in Canada working with seniors

Barriers and facilitators of Gerontechnology use by occupational therapists in Canada working with seniors

The Portrayal of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science in Canadian Newspapers: A Content Analysis

The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. The demand for occupational therapists in Canada is expected to grow sharply at an annual growth rate of 3.2%, compared to 0.7% for all occupations. At the same time, it is believed by occupational therapists in Canada that the Canadian public does not understand the role of occupational therapy. Occupational science is an emerging basic science field that supports the practice of occupational therapy. Given that newspapers are one source the public uses to obtain information and that newspapers are seen to shape public opinions, the purpose of this study is to investigate how “occupational therapy” is covered in Canadian newspapers from the term’s first appearance in 1917 until 2016 and how “occupational science” is covered from the term’s first appearance in 1989 to 2016. We interrogated the findings through the lens of three non-newspaper sources—two academic journals: Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy (CJOT) and Journal of Occupational Science (JOS); and one Canadian magazine: Occupational Therapy Now (OTN). We found that medical terms were prevalent in the newspaper articles covering occupational therapy similar to the presence of medical terms in the CJOT and OTN. However, the newspapers missed contemporary shifts in occupational therapy as evident in the CJOT, OTN and JOS—such as the increased engagement with enablement, occupational justice and other occupational concepts. The newspapers also failed to portray the societal issues that occupational therapy engages with on behalf of and with their clients, and the newspapers did not cover many of the client groups of occupational therapy. Occupational science was only mentioned in n = 26 articles of the nearly 300 Canadian newspapers covered with no concrete content linked to occupational science. The scope of occupational therapy presented in Canadian newspapers may be one contributing factor to a situation where occupational therapists in Canada think that there is lack of public understanding around their role, as readers are not getting the full picture and as such approach occupational therapy with different expectations. Given the lack of coverage of occupational science, readers will likely obtain limited knowledge about occupational science and its focus.

The Use of Hermeneutics in a Mixed Methods Design

Combining methods in a single study is becoming a more common practice because of the limitations of using only one approach to fully address all aspects of a research question. Hermeneutics in this paper is discussed in relation to a large national study that investigated issues influencing the ability of international graduates to work as occupational therapists in Canada. Using methods that reflect different ontological and epistemological beliefs was necessary to attain a comprehensive view of enablers and barriers that influence workforce integration. Hermeneutics proved to be a credible and flexible strategy for combining methods to create a deep understanding of acculturation issues for international occupational therapy graduates wishing to work in Canada.

A Survey of Occupational Therapists in Canada about Their Knowledge and Use of the ICF

The current impact of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) on the field of occupational therapy within Canada is unknown. To survey occupational therapists in Canada about their knowledge, use of and suggestions for education about the ICF. Mixed methods design included (i) an online survey, with data analyzed using quantitative methods; and (ii) semi-structured interviews with a purposeful sample of 10 therapists, using content analysis. The online survey was completed by 587 occupational therapists (17.6% return). Four hundred and ten respondents (70.0%) indicated some ICF knowledge, and 121 of those individuals (29.5%) reported using it in practice. Interview participants suggested resources, perceived meaning and investment factors impact ICF knowledge. Suggested uses include frameworks and interprofessional collaboration, while ideas for education involve meaningful and accessible formats. The ICF may be useful to occupational therapists in different settings if it fulfills a meaningful purpose and fits with practice models.

Developing Competency for Work in Other Countries: Lessons Learned from Internationally Educated Occupational Therapists in Canada

Occupational therapists wishing to undertake international work face unique challenges. The experiences of 17 internationally educated occupational therapists were recorded as part of a national study that investigated factors influencing the workforce integration of international graduates in Canada. A purposeful maximum variation sample of internationally educated occupational therapists that arrived in Canada between 2000 and 2005 participated in the interviews. The findings of the interviews provide insight into preparations needed for international work, dealing with language and cultural issues and finding a job in another country.

Understanding ‘Independence’: Perspectives of occupational therapists

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to understand how the term independence is used in rehabilitation. In particular, we asked occupational therapists in Canada and Japan to interpret the term independence in terms of people with disabilities. In rehabilitation, independence has long been a key concept. A review of the literature shows that the term's meaning has shifted throughout the past century. However, despite its significance, the word's meaning has never been deeply analysed, and it is left to the interpretation of the individual practitioner; consequently, there is a conceptual confusion surrounding the term. Furthermore, no studies have been conducted from an inter-cultural viewpoint that included non-Western societies.Method. A qualitative interpretive study was conducted, based on semi-structured interviews with 18 occupational therapists. Nine Canadian and nine Japanese therapists were interviewed in depth and their perspectives analysed for themes and categories corresponding to their working definition of independence.Results. Therapists' interpretation of the term independence consisted of three perspectives: “Independence as competence,”“Independence as autonomy,” and “Independence as psychological qualities”. These perspectives were typically combined into two patterns of dealing with independence in practice. Differences between Canadian and Japanese perspectives were explored.Conclusions. The study's findings confirm some ideas about independence that have been pointed out in the professional literature, but they also add several important ideas – the idea of psychological characteristics as key to independence, and the notion of a cultural overlay on the definition and application of the concept independence. This study's findings should contribute to the ongoing discussion in the professional literature about the virtues and limitations of pursuing independence as the ultimate goal in rehabilitation.

Issues in bidding for contracts for occupational therapy services.

There is an increasing number of occupational therapists in Canada who are involved in bidding for contracts to deliver occupational therapy services. Occupational therapists working in an institutional or community-based setting may not have had the responsibility of developing a proposal or a marketing plan for bidding purposes. However, the responsibility of developing a bid to compete for a service delivery contract often rests on occupational therapists who are sole practitioners in a private practice setting. The purpose of this paper is to highlight issues in the literature such as service delivery plans, marketing strategies and costing of services that can assist the occupational therapist in the development of a contractual bid. A specific clinical example, school therapy services, has been used to illustrate how these strategies can be applied to practice. Success in contractual bids appears to be primarily influenced by cost of the service, the expertise of the service provider, ability to provide coordinated care, ease of access for clients, and inclusion of methods to measure client outcome.

Male Occupational Therapists in Canada: A Demographic Profile

Occupational therapy is a predominantly female profession with, for example, only 5.8% of the occupational therapists in Canada being men. Traditionally, there has been limited success in recruiting men into occupational therapy education programmes and those men who do qualify as occupational therapists tend to work in the profession for only short periods of time. The purpose of this study was to examine the demographic characteristics of a group of male occupational therapists. A questionnaire was posted to all male therapists who were members of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (n = 199). Eighty-three per cent of the sample responded.The survey results indicated several significant findings. Seventy-four per cent of the respondents said that they would end up leaving the profession within 10 years. The top four features of the profession that influenced respondents' choice of an occupational therapy career were the opportunity to work with people, job security and availability, feel...

Role Strain Experienced by Male Occupational Therapists: A Descriptive Survey

Occupational therapy is a female-dominated profession with only 5.8% of all clinicians being men. Traditionally, occupational therapy education programmes have had limited success in recruiting men and those men who do become therapists tend to work in the profession for only short periods of time. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that have an impact on male occupational therapists. Specifically, role strain due to community, colleagues and patients, three types of role stress (role ambiguity, role conflict and role overload) and the demographic characteristics of male occupational therapists in Canada were examined. Role strain is a subjective state of emotional arousal (such as increased level of awareness, general emotional arousal, distress, anxiety or frustration) in response to the external conditions of social stress. Community role strain was considered to arise from the negative attitudes of people outside the immediate work environment. Colleague role strain was considered to arise from the attitudes and behaviours of co-workers and others employed in the work environment. Patient role strain was considered to arise from the acts and attitudes of patients and their families. Role stress is a social structural condition in which role obligations are vague, irritating, difficult, conflicting or impossible to meet. Role ambiguity was defined as vagueness or a lack of clarity of role expectation. Role conflict was defined as role expectations that are incompatible. Role overload was defined as too much expected in the time available. A questionnaire was posted to all male therapists who were members of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (n = 199). Eighty-three per cent of the sample responded. The survey instruments consisted of a demographic questionnaire, the Egeland and Brown Rating Scale, the Rizzo, House and Lirtzman Scale and the Beehr, Walsh and Taber Scale. As a group, male occupational therapists reported a moderate level of community role strain, colleague role strain and patient role strain. Similarly, male occupational therapists also reported a moderate degree of role conflict and role overload, but had a low level of role ambiguity.

Client-centred practice: what does it mean and does it make a difference?

During the past 15 years, occupational therapists in Canada, through the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, have worked to develop and implement guidelines for practice of a client-centred approach to occupational therapy. One of the difficulties with the current Guidelines for the Client-Centred Practice of Occupational Therapy is the lack of a definition and discussion of the concepts and issues fundamental to client-centred practice. In this paper, key concepts of client-centred practice: individual autonomy and choice, partnership, therapist and client responsibility, enablement, contextual congruence, accessibility and respect for diversity are discussed. Two practice examples are used to illustrate these ideas and raise issues about obstacles to the practice of client-centred occupational therapy. Research evidence about the effectiveness of client-centred concepts in enhancing client satisfaction, functional outcomes and adherence to health service programmes is reviewed.

Male occupational therapists: A profile of job satisfaction and work environment variables

AbstractOccupational therapy is a female‐dominated profession with only 4% of all clinicians in Canada being men. Traditionally, occupational therapy training programmes have had limited success recruiting men into their educational programmes and those men who do qualify as therapists tend to work only in the profession for short periods of time. The purpose of this study was to identify work‐related factors that impact on male occupational therapists. Specifically, five job satisfaction factors (work, pay, co‐workers, supervision and promotional opportunities), work environment traits and the demographic characteristics of male occupational therapists in Canada were examined. A mailed survey questionnaire was sent to all male therapists who were members of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (n = 199) during the 1990–1991 membership year; 83% of the sample responded. In terms of job satisfaction, male occupational therapists indicated that they were relatively dissatisfied with their work, pay, promotional opportunities, supervision and co‐workers as a group. However, they characterised their work environments as being above average in terms of supervisor support, autonomy and physical comfort, whereas they obtained a well below‐average score for the control dimension. Further research is needed to explore the issue of job satisfaction among occupational therapy personnel and to identify what factors impact on the job retention of male occupational practitioners.

Values, Salience, and Job Satisfaction: Male and Female Occupational Therapists' Responses

A matched peer study of 55 male and 55 female respondents from a national survey of occupational therapists in Canada (N = 1,400) was completed in order to examine the level of value endorsement and job satisfaction. Respondents were matched according to position, educational level, years since graduation, marital status, and area of residence. Data from the Life Roles Inventory (LRI) was analyzed using discriminant analysis; results showed that males endorsed Risk and Advancement more strongly than their female cohorts, while females endorsed Social Relationships at a higher level than males. Males viewed studying as more important than females did in terms of participation, commitment, and role value. Data from the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) was analyzed using a t-test and results showed there was no difference between the two groups in relation to their level of job satisfaction.

Clinical Research: A Priority for Occupational Therapists in Canada

Clinical Research: A Priority for Occupational Therapists in Canada

Legal liability for occupational therapists.

In recent years technological advances, increased social awareness, and changing moral values have brought to light may legal questions in the health field. There can be little doubt that members of our profession, as well as the public, are now very aware of the possibility of malpractice. There are critical questions and issues for the occupational therapist: How can the therapist decrease the likelihood of being charged with malpractice? What standard of practice does the law apply? How may she anticipate her conduct to be judged legally? What outcome can she expect? In fact, to date there have been no malpractice claims against occupational therapists in Canada but the Canadian Association of Occupational therapists has arranged for malpractice coverage. Nevertheless, the therapist is responsible for administering the reasonable skill and care that are recognized as appropriate by at least a significant minority of the profession. As in all aspects of the health field, prevention is to be preferred.

Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy: a reflection of professional growth.

The Canadian Journal of Occupational therapy (CJOT) is the only Canadian refereed professional publication reflecting the views and professional development of occupational therapists in Canada. A study of all issues of CJOT published during three five-year periods was carried out to see if CJOT could be said to be improving in terms of reflecting professional trends. Some areas examined were quantity of articles, type of articles, references, authors and citations. It was found that although CJOT did reflect professional growth in many areas, there were a number of areas needing improvement before CJOT could be considered to be the primary professional publication for occupational therapists in Canada.

Standards — Who Needs Them? Setting Standards for the Education of Occupational Therapists

This paper explores some of the reasons standards for professional education are necessary and briefly traces the history of education standards for Canadian occupational therapists. The present work of the CAOT Academic Standards & Accreditation Committee on the revision of the Standards for the Education of Occupational Therapists in Canada is briefly described.